New talkgroup for William & Mary

[tuttleje]

In a previous post, I stated approximately 196 radios have been programmed for W&M. I have been told that the cost is around $3,000 per radio. Doing the math, that's about $600,000 for radios. This cost does not include any fee for utilization of the system. Does anyone have any idea how W&M funded this purchase? Also, I have heard a rumor that several commercial businesses in the Williamsburg area may be allowed on the Williamsburg/James City/York County digital system. In researching the license (WQAW910) is for "YF - Public Safety Ntl Plan, 821-824/866-869 MHz, Trunked." Further, the license allocates for 1800 mobile radios. According to my PRO96com program, there have been 1775 radios seen on the system. The question I pose is can this system be used for other than "government public safety" and can they exceed 1800 radios?

 

[n4jri]

Two birds with one stone...

Perhaps W&M has something better to offer than user fees....how about their frequencies? Transferring their 5 or 6 trunked freqs to the Williamsburg system would be a very valuable contribution, and would also allow for much greater channel loading.

1775 radios seems like a bit much for down there, and 196 for W&M really makes you wonder. $3000 radios for delivering hot dogs. Oh well, Richmond has them for surveyors & flagmen. I wonder if it's Homeland Security $$$ <g>

73/Allen (N4JRI)

 

[lburke19]

W&amp;M football

It'll be interesting to monitor the system during football Saturdays. That could open up some new talkgroups.

 

[tuttleje]

It's a madhouse at W&M today with freshman orientation. The College is using talkgroup 1222 to coordinate the orientation activities. However, the use of talkgroup 1222 for student activities could be temporary. It appears they are bouncing among several different talkgroups. If you want to be amused, just listen to the various talkgroups as they handle issues&#8230;.most of which surround placating the parents of the new students.

 

[gcgrotz]

1775 radios seems like a bit much for down there, and 196 for W&M really makes you wonder. $3000 radios for delivering hot dogs. Oh well, Richmond has them for surveyors & flagmen. I wonder if it's Homeland Security $$$ <g>

73/Allen (N4JRI)

Your tax dollars, and mine, is what you meant to say. I could buy several radios with $3000. Let's see... Icom 746PRO, BCD996T, maybe another vhf handheld. Oh wait, there's some left over!

I'll see what I hear on the new system here when football starts. I've already heard them doing traffic control for events at the new arena and at fire/accident scenes.

 

[fmon]

This afternoon I paused on 1222 from the York River Bridge to to the James River Bridge. Sounded like tour groups.

 

[tuttleje]

Talkgroup 1226 is an Evening Campus Escort Service. No, it's not what first comes to mind.... it's a service to provide student escorts wth radios to ensure the safety of other students walking late at night on Campus.

 

[tuttleje]

After listening to the system for an extended period of time, talkgroup 1214 (Landscaping) would best be described as "Athletic Services". They do more than Landscaping...they are in a support role for the Athletic Department. They cut the grass, line the fields, clean the stadium, all in support of the Athletic Department. I am reluctant to call the talkgroup "Athletic Support".....Athletic Services... sounds better.

 

[fmon]

A couple of Saturdays ago we drove through the area and I held on TG 1222 for a 1/2 hour or so with one of the scanners. Sounded like students running some kind of special event. Initially I thought it may have something to do with the NPS, but with your observations, it is likely WM campus activities. The TG fits in your recent observations on WM campus activities. Note also, the James City Special Events TG's are at the upper end of these WM TG's.

BTW, alt cc 868.6625 is the active Control at this time.

 

[tuttleje]

There is a home night football game (W&M v. Maine) at 7:00 PM (9/16/06). Athletic Services (1214), Catering (1304) and Parking (1221) are very active. It should be interesting to see what other talkgroups appear as we approach kickoff time.

 

[tuttleje]

The Williamsburg Police Depatment is using talkgroup 1182 (Special Events) to support the College of William and Mary for the football game. 1182 was not previously listed in the RR database.

 

[tuttleje]

In watching the affiliation log on Pro96com, I saw several of the Williamsburg Police Department (WPD) units change their radios from talkgroup 1178 to 1182. In the process they stopped on 1179 (Investigator's Talkgroup), then 1180 (unknown), 1181 (unknown) to 1182 (Special Events). I have never seen 1180, 1181 or 1182 before today. Pro96com allows you to see when a radio turns on, turns off, or changes talkgroups. The radios do not have to transmit...just be turned on. It's a great tool!

 

[tuttleje]

The Campus Police are using talkgroup 1207 as Channel 2

 

[tuttleje]

The staff at Swem Library are using talkgroup 1211

 

[tuttleje]

Talkgroup 1218 is used by Facilities Management. I am listening to them discuss heating and air problems. Since 1217 is the primary talkgroup for Facilities Management, I'm calling 1218 Facilities Management Channel 2. It could be used exclusively for heating and air repair. If this is the case, we can change the name to reflect Heating and Air.

 

[tuttleje]

Talkgroup 1303 is the Muscarelle Museum of Art